About Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
- Released on January 01, 2009
Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.
Full Cast of Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Franklyn Ajaye plays Self
Angela Bassett plays Narrator (voice)
Bill Bellamy plays Self
Todd Boyd plays Self
Jeff Clanagan plays Self
Bill Cosby plays Self
Stanley Crouch plays Self
Elijah Cummings plays Self
Tommy Davidson plays Self
Michael Eric Dyson plays Self
Walter Fauntroy plays Self
Shang Forbes plays Self
Marla Gibbs plays Self
Louis Gossett Jr. plays Self
Dick Gregory plays Self
Eddie Griffin plays Self
Steve Harvey plays Self
D.L. Hughley plays Self
Sheila Jackson Lee plays Self
Eddie Levert plays Himself
Faizon Love plays Self
Kweisi Mfume plays Self
Kel Mitchell plays Self
Mo'Nique plays Self
Paul Mooney plays Self
Garrett Morris plays Self
Charlie Murphy plays Self
Niecy Nash plays Self
Reynaldo Rey plays Self
Chris Rock plays Self
Sherri Shepherd plays Self
Sommore plays Self
Robert Townsend plays Self
Thea Vidale plays Self
George Wallace plays Self
Maxine Waters plays Self
Damon Wayans plays Self
Keenen Ivory Wayans plays Self
Marlon Wayans plays Self
Shawn Wayans plays Self
Cornel West plays Self
Katt Williams plays Self
Andrew Young plays Self
Topper Carew plays Self
Julian Bond plays Self
Crew of Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Production
Editing
Writing
Directing
- Franklyn Ajaye
- Angela Bassett
- Bill Bellamy
- Todd Boyd
- Jeff Clanagan
- Bill Cosby
- Stanley Crouch
- Elijah Cummings
- Tommy Davidson
- Michael Eric Dyson
- Walter Fauntroy
- Shang Forbes
- Marla Gibbs
- Louis Gossett Jr.
- Dick Gregory
- Eddie Griffin
- Steve Harvey
- D.L. Hughley
- Sheila Jackson Lee
- Eddie Levert
- Faizon Love
- Kweisi Mfume
- Kel Mitchell
- Mo'Nique
- Paul Mooney
- Garrett Morris
- Charlie Murphy
- Niecy Nash
- Reynaldo Rey
- Chris Rock
- Sherri Shepherd
- Sommore
- Robert Townsend
- Thea Vidale
- George Wallace
- Maxine Waters
- Damon Wayans
- Keenen Ivory Wayans
- Marlon Wayans
- Shawn Wayans
- Cornel West
- Katt Williams
- Andrew Young
- Topper Carew
- Julian Bond